title: Continuously manufactured magnetic polymersomes--a versatile tool (not only) for targeted cancer therapy.
abstract: Micromixer technology was used to prepare polymeric vesicles (Pluronic® L-121) dual loaded with the anti-cancer drug camptothecin and magnetic nanoparticles. Successful incorporation of the magnetic nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed a relatively narrow size distribution of the hybrid polymersomes. Camptothecin polymersomes reduced the cell viability of prostate cancer cells (PC-3) measured after 72 h significantly, while drug-free polymersomes showed no cytotoxic effects. Covalent attachment of a cancer targeting peptide (bombesin) as well as a fluorescent label (Alexa Fluor® 647) to the hybrid polymersomes was performed and specific cell binding and internalization were shown by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Relaxometry measurements clearly demonstrated the capacity of magnetic polymersomes to generate significant T2-weighted MRI contrast and potentially allow for direct monitoring of the biodistribution of the polymersomes. Micromixer technology as an easy, fast and efficient way to manufacture hybrid polymersomes as theranostic drug delivery devices is a further step from basic research to personalized medicine.
authors.affiliation: BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, 12205 Berlin, Germany. regina.bleul@bam.de.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bleul
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thiermann
authors.forename: Gernot U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Marten
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: St Pierre
authors.forename: Urs O
authors.initials: UO
authors.lastname: Häfeli
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maskos
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D001839:Bombesin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C569686:Alexa Fluor 647; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002232:Carbocyanines; D004337:Drug Carriers; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C116176:PEO-PPO-PEO; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D020442:Poloxamer; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D001839:Bombesin; D002166:Camptothecin